Toro Rosso confirm unchanged 2013 line up

Toro Rosso has confirmed that they will retain Daniel Ricciardo and Jean Eric Vergne for 2013.

Ricciardo and Vergne have raced for the team in 2012, taking 21 points between them.

"I am really happy about this great news. Thank you Toro Rosso and thank you Red Bull, who have backed me since the early days of my career", said Vergne.

"It has been a difficult season and, as a rookie, I have learned a lot, thanks to the support I got and the excellent relationship I have enjoyed with all the guys".

"I feel much stronger now and I know I have become a better driver over the course of the season. I really believe in this team and with all the experience I have gained, combined with the team's ambitious plans for next year, I think we can look forward to great things in 2013, attacking all the way".

Ricciardo made his F1 début for HRT at Silverstone in 2011, before switching to Toro Rosso for the 2012 season.

I am really pumped to know that I am continuing with Scuderia Toro Rosso for another season and want to thank the team and Red Bull. There are big expectations for next year and I'm ready and willing to fulfil them".

"I feel I have been growing and developing as a driver and my approach to the technical side of the sport has also progressed this year, so I am sure that will serve me well in my second season with Toro Rosso. We have had quite a tough season, but despite that, I have always enjoyed a good relationship with all the guys and I am delighted at the idea of working with them for another year", he said.

Team principal Franz Tost added that he has been pleased with the progress his young chargers have made.

"Both drivers have done a good job this season. Daniel joined us with a few grands prix under his belt and so his feedback and experience was particularly useful while Jean-Eric got up to speed, often having to deal with tracks he had never seen before".

"Since the summer break, both drivers have scored more points and everyone in the team has been impressed with their maturity in terms of working with the engineers and their race craft on track".

"We will be doing our best in the next few months, to produce a 2013 car which will allow them to demonstrate their talent".

Toro Rosso has endured a relatively difficult season, despite scoring 21 points, and hired James Key as their new technical director prior to the Italian Grand Prix.